Bonmarché, Peacocks and Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) are set to open 100 new stores across the UK over the next 18 months
Peacocks, Bonmarché and Edinburgh Woollen Mill have returned to profitability for the first time since they were rescued from administration in 2021.
The three fashion brands’ strong performance has been spurred by an extensive restructuring plan across its store estate and investment into product ranges as it sought to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Peacocks reported a pre-tax profit of £8.3m in the 52 weeks to 25 February 2023, up from a loss of £19.3m.
Sales rocketed 49% from £159.9m to £238m, which it attributed to its investment into the shirts and activewear categories across ladies and menswear.
The fashion retailer opened five stores during the year and closed 20, leaving it with a portfolio of 336 stores.
The business said it had invested in its online offering, with digital orders on Edinburgh Woollen Mill increasing by 36% and 17.4% for Bonmarché on the year before.
